Chiropractic Can Thaw a Frozen Shoulder

If you’ve ever had shoulder pain in Chattanooga, you know how annoying
and painful it can be. Many people will simply endure the pain, but did
you know you don’t have to live like this?

What we mean is that even though some shoulder conditions like frozen shoulder
do resolve over time, it can take a while, and some patients will simply
deal with the pain until it goes away. But who wants to live like that?
Let’s find out how a Chattanooga, TN chiropractor can help.

What is frozen shoulder?

The name really tells it all for this one. A frozen shoulder is a shoulder
that has drastically reduced range of motion, stiffness inhibiting movement
of the arm to a very limited space. While your shoulder isn’t completely
“frozen,” the restricted range of motion might as well mean
a useless shoulder.

And while Chattanooga doctors know what happens to make a shoulder cease
its movement, they don’t know why people get it. A shoulder freezes
when the capsule of connective tissue housing the bones, ligaments, and
tendons that make up the shoulder thickens and tightens. But why this
capsule tightens remains a mystery, though some are more prone to it:
diabetics and those with previous shoulder injuries.

Another mysterious thing about frozen shoulder is the course it takes.
According to Mayo Clinic, there are three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing. A frozen shoulder
usually lasts one to three years, resolving on its own. Let’s look
at these stages:

Freezing—the shoulder’s range of motion starts to become limited,
and most movement of your shoulder causes pain

Frozen—the shoulder becomes stiff and difficult to move, although
some of the pain subsides

Thawing—the shoulder begins to move in a gradually widening range of motion

Yes, a frozen shoulder is an odd condition to have, but you don’t
have to wait it out if you don’t want to.

Chiropractic Treatment for Frozen Shoulder

If you don’t want to wait 3 years for your shoulder to heal—and
who does?—chiropractic is a very viable treatment option. Although
traditional doctors will recommend stretching and strengthening via a
physical trainer and will offer steroid shots, chiropractic can usually
resolve the issue within a few non-invasive treatments.

Since the neck controls the shoulder, treatment of the neck can loosen
up a frozen shoulder. In a chiropractic session, a patient with frozen
shoulder may receive the following,
according to this AltMD article:

Spinal manipulation

Massage therapy

Electrical stimulation

Rehabilitative exercises

Heat and ice

Rest

Dietary supplements

Lifestyle coaching to promote proper body mechanics

Spinal manipulation is the primary treatment offered by any Chattanooga,
TN chiropractor, and its practice promotes proper communication of the
Central Nervous System. The spinal column houses the spinal cord, which
connects the body to the brain. When vertebrae are misaligned—which
is extremely common—this causes the nervous system to communicate
poorly, often leading to pain. Once your spine is aligned, the neck functions
better, leading to better function and mobility in the shoulders. The
other treatments on our list above all complement the spinal adjustment,
helping stiff muscles to loosen and allow the vertebrae to stay aligned.
Here in Chattanooga, we have lots of chiropractors who can offer this
relief from a frozen shoulder.

Have you ever seen a chiropractor for a frozen shoulder?

If your shoulder is frozen, your quality of life has been impacted. During
the frozen stage, which chiropractor
Dr. Akhavan tells us usually lasts up to 9 months, the pain is largely replaced by stiffness.
But not being able to reach is equivalent to
chronic pain. Don’t let a frozen shoulder keep you from enjoying life.

Do you live in Chattanooga and have a frozen shoulder story? Leave us a
comment and tell us—did a chiropractor help? Did it last 3 whole
years? What was your quality of life like? We’ll respond with a
comment of our own!